Ocean Free and Ocean Freedom grew from a love story with the Great Barrier Reef – and, quite literally, from the day Perry and Taryn met on the water.
Perry Jones arrived in Cairns in 1988 and was already immersed in the local dive industry, operating diving and snorkelling experiences from smaller vessels. Taryn Agius arrived from Malta in 1992 to undertake postgraduate studies and explore Australia. Drawn to the sea, she joined a reef trip – and met Perry.
Working together as dive professionals, they shared two passions: the Great Barrier Reef and looking after people. They believed guests wanted more than transport to a reef site. They wanted to feel welcomed, personally cared for, confident in the water and genuinely connected to the place they had travelled so far to experience.
In 1996, Perry and Taryn had the opportunity to purchase the much-loved 16-metre sailing vessel Ocean Free. That became the official beginning of their family operation and the foundation of a philosophy that still guides the business today: guests are names, not numbers.
Ocean Free developed a loyal following for its intimate sailing, snorkelling and diving experience, small guest numbers, relaxed atmosphere and very personal style of care. As demand grew from travellers and trade partners wanting that same philosophy for larger groups – but a different style of reef adventure – Perry and Taryn purchased a 20-metre motor cruiser in 2005, completely refurbished it, and launched Ocean Freedom in 2006.
Today the two experiences remain intentionally different. Ocean Free combines sailing, reef, diving and Green Island exploration in a relaxed small-group day. Ocean Freedom offers a more active two-site reef adventure with around six hours on the Reef, guided snorkelling, Adventure Drift Snorkel, glass-bottom boat touring and diving.
What connects them is the culture Perry and Taryn created from the beginning: professional without feeling commercial, adventurous without losing care, and educational without becoming a lecture. Crew are encouraged to know guests as individuals, help nervous first-timers find confidence, give experienced adventurers freedom, and share the Reef with warmth, humour and genuine enthusiasm.
Responsible tourism has grown alongside the business. Reef monitoring, stewardship, marine interpretation and long-term care for the sites are always embedded in daily operations, because protecting the Reef and helping guests understand why it matters have always been part of the same story.
Thirty years on, the boats and technology have evolved, but the heart of the business has not: meaningful reef adventures, genuine human connection, and memories people carry long after they leave Cairns.
